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IT

Technology Leadership Summit: Solutions for Your District

by Kristy Breaux October 30, 2019

written by Kristy Breaux

The expertise and leadership of chief technology officers and other district leaders is invaluable in today’s schools. Front-line educators, students, parents, community members, and administrators throughout your district rely on you to build and sustain the best systems in order to make the most of the technology you have. Not to mention, you have an imperative to acquire quality resources at the best price

Reach New Heights at the Technology Leadership Summit

At TCEA, we value that work, and we want to connect you to the most effective practices, tools, and programs to keep your schools secure and successful. We want to help make your job a little easier so that you can focus on the true needs of your stakeholders.

Join other leaders in similar positions for an invaluable learning opportunity, the 2019 Technology Leadership Summit, December 13, at TCEA headquarters in Austin, Texas. You’ll discover new ideas, trends, contingency plans, and resources suited to all of the many roles you have to fill each day.

Intrigued? This event will cover a wide range of far-reaching topics, including (but not limited to) asset management, disaster recovery and business continuity, strategic tech planning, LMS, student information systems, open educational resources, mobile device management, leased versus purchased equipment, and network infrastructure planning.

The Details

Because TCEA believes that this event can provide valuable and critical information to school leaders, registration is complimentary for district technology administrators in the role of coordinator, director, CIO, or CTO. Others may attend and register at the cost of $125. Lunch is provided so that you can network with other leaders and continue the learning.

You can find all the details about this important leadership event and register here. Once you’re ready, you can also register yourself (and your team!). Get the information and resources you need to move your district forward.

October 30, 2019 0 comment

Announcements/Important Dates Leadership Technical Support

Five Ways to Thank Your System Administrator

by Susan Meyer July 17, 2017

written by Susan Meyer

The system administrator who serves your school or district keeps the hardware, software, network, and infrastructure running so you don’t have to. These tech wizards sometimes have a thankless job because when everything goes well, it’s easy to forget how much hard work they’re doing behind the scenes. When there are no fires to put out, everyone’s computer is running at top speed, and the printers are free of jams, they don’t always get the pat on the back that they richly deserve. Luckily, there’s a day each year when you can take the time to thank your system admin for all the hard work they do to keep your school not just functioning, but thriving!

The 18th annual System Administrator Appreciation falls this year on July 28. That gives you plenty of time to come up with the perfect way to thank the tech savvy admins in your life and show them you appreciate them 365 days a year. If you’re stuck coming up with the perfect token of appreciation, here are a few ideas to consider.

A Thoughtful Card

Showing your appreciation doesn’t have to be a big to-do. Even a simple card signed by as many educators as possible can go a long way. Hearing nice notes from so many of the people they serve will bring a smile to your system admin’s face. Any thoughtful, gracious card will do, or you can find one designed just for system administrators here. If you’re reading this on July 28, and there’s no time to buy a card and organize its signing, you can still send a funny e-card.

Tech Gifts

If a card just isn’t enough to recognize your system admin’s true rock star status, consider a larger token of your appreciation. How about a funny t-shirt? If they like tech gadgets both on and off the clock, ThinkGeek has a great selection of toys for techies. And, of course, when you’re not sure what to get, a gift card always gets the job done.

Delicious Baked Goods

It’s hard not to feel appreciated when someone bakes you cookies or brownies. Or if there aren’t any bakers in your school, there’s no shame in store-bought. If someone in your school is incredibly ambitious, here are some pretty spectacular cakes to attempt. And, of course, there’s my personal favorite: the Rubik’s cube cake.

Party It Up!

Cards and gifts are nice, but if you’ve got the time and resources, bringing everyone together for a little in-person appreciation time can’t be beat. (Plus, it gives you the opportunity to give that Rubik’s cube cake you spent the last eight hours constructing a proper audience!). Break out the balloons and maybe bring in lunch. The size and scale of the party isn’t so important as giving people the opportunity to express their words of gratitude in person.

Make Their Job a Little Easier

Remember, appreciating your sys admin really shouldn’t happen one day a year. You can help them appreciate you as much as you appreciate them by listening to their advice and being patient. You can also give them a “survival kit” with things like coffee, candy, a stress ball, and an ergonomic keyboard or mouse.

I hope you’ll consider one of these ideas for July 28th. If you have another great idea for how you plan to shower your system admin with appreciation next week, let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to tell the admins in your life about TCEA’s System Administrator and Technical Support Conference happening this October. It will provide them everything they need to keep current on the latest trends and solutions in the IT world.

July 17, 2017 0 comment

Technical Support

Gadgets for the IT Person in Your Life

by Dr. Bruce Ellis December 5, 2016

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

We all have an IT person in our life that makes things run smoothly or fixes things quickly when they don’t. Many times, though, they go unnoticed and can be taken for granted. We may not even know the name of the person that is working faithfully in the background. Regardless, we can definitely give them a gift that they will like, a gadget that maybe only they can appreciate. My recommendations below don’t have to be limited to the holiday season; these can also make great birthday, retirement, or “thanks for being there” gifts. (Of course, you can also grab some of these just for yourself!)

Gadgets Under $25

Star Wars R2-D2 Bluetooth Speakerphone ($20) – Show off your Star Wars enthusiasm while listening to music and podcasts. It pairs with Bluetooth®-enabled devices (2.1) and it plays movie sound clips when the device is switched on, when pairing is completed, and when turned off.

Cocoon Grid It Organizer ($17) – Use this chic but manly carryall to hold all of your cables, flash drives, dongles, and tools.

No Place Like 127.0.0.1 Non-slip Doormats ($17) – You know geeks are welcomed when you arrived to the office or home that has this doormat. While others may look at it and scratch their head, you’ll be able to quickly identify someone’s geekiness when they react to this unique welcome mat.

Circuit Board Ring ($22) – Be fashionable and resourceful by wearing a stylish ring handmade from real computer circuit boards. There are seven colors to choose from, so you are not stuck with the traditional green circuit board.

SnapPower USB Charger – Outlet Coverplate ($22) – Just like you can’t have enough power outlets, you can never have enough USB charging outlets. This gadget can help add more USB convenience to outlets that you are frequently around without sacrificing the outlets themselves. Simply take off your current outlet faceplate and pop this one on to extend the capabilities of the outlet.

Fidget Cube($22) – If your IT person is always clicking a pen obsessively while listening, strumming their fingers on the desk while an update downloads, or making other distracting movements, you might consider the Fidget Cube as the perfect gift. This clever device allows them to satisfy their fidgeting while not being distracting to those around. If it is your office mate that fidgets, this may help save the relationship so you can still be friends.

Gifts Under $100 (Get your campus to chip in on one of these great presents)

TrackR ($30) – With a TrackR device on your keychain and another on your phone (or anything you frequently lose), you’ll always know where it is. Consider purchasing in quantity to get discounts.

Circuit Board Tie ($30) – Nothing shouts geek more than having attire that matches your hardware. Don your circuit board tie and let everyone know that you are the IT guy with all the answers. For just five dollars more, you can get the more gentlemanly bowtie which comes in black or green, each with gold and silver circuitry.

Classic Pro Tech Toolkit ($65) – This toolkit has everything that an IT technician could dream of. It is fitted with tools based on data from thousands of tech repair guides. For just five dollars more, you can get the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit – Government-Issue Edition used by both FBI and CIA.

16” Drifter II Laptop Backpack ($70) – IT guys/gals are known for having all the right gadgets, dongles, and cables so they are never left in the lurch. They’ll thank you for this great backpack so they can visit campuses and admin offices while easily carrying all their “necessities.” If you are looking for something even more impressive (i.e. expensive), then look no further than the Tumi Alpha Bravo Knox Backpack which will only set you back $365.

Kymera Magic Wand Remote Control ($99) – IT geeks who like control may find this magic wand remote control right up their alley. Compatible with most home electronics, they can teach their wand up to 13 infrared remote control codes. While it won’t make their problems vanish, it might just make their day more enjoyable.

Spire Mindfulness and Activity Tracker ($99) – Sometimes being in IT can be pretty hectic. Whether is it a virus that is running rampant throughout the district or another technical crisis, it is easy get worked up and tense. The Spire tracks your breathing and provides feedback to remind you when you need to just take a deep breath and realize it’s all going to be okay. Works with both iPhone and Android.

Gifts Over $100

Intel Compute Stick (Core m3) ($120) – Enjoy the features of a full computer on a stick. Just plug directly into an HDMI port on a monitor or TV and enjoy doing your work in Windows 10. It even includes three USB 3.0 ports to accommodate your keyboard, mouse, etc.

Estream ($180) – Does your IT person like the great outdoors, but finds they are always tethered to their phone in case anything in the district goes wrong after hours? If so, they could use an extra battery or solar power to recharge their phone, but that is so last year. Water power is the new clean source for recharging devices. The Estream is a portable water-powered generator that fits into your backpack. The Estream is expected to start shipping in March 2017, which is perfect time to plan hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures.

Segway miniPRO ($600) – What IT guy or gal wouldn’t enjoy zipping around on their own Segway? Be sure they install the mobile app so they can get the fullest experience including remote control operations, customizable lights, and speed control,…oh, and anti-theft alarm.

Other Ideas?

What gadgets and and devices have you found that any ed tech enthusiast would enjoy? We’d love to hear your ideas!

December 5, 2016 0 comment

Announcements/Important Dates

Take Your Career to the Next Level with Our Certification Program

by Dr. Bruce Ellis October 16, 2015

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to take you to the next level in your career. Times are changing and it’s easy to get busy and overlook updating your own skills. You need to keep yourself as current and marketable as possible. TCEA offers five programs that are designed to meet specific needs:

21st Century Administrator Certification – This program is designed for those individuals who are already in a campus leadership role or want to move in that direction. You’ll focus on building campus leadership skills and learn how to model technology to other staff members, as well as understanding educational technology trends and their impact on student achievement.
Campus Technology Specialist Certification – Designed for those who work with other educators to help them integrate technology effectively, this program focuses on helping you understand the tools and processes to better engage students and increase relevant technology utilization in the classroom.
IT/Technology Director Certification – Participants in this program will cover topics to help them become an effective district leader and support administrators, teachers, and students in the use of technology. Master complex decision-making skills and best practices that will help you in your day-to-day work.
Chromebook Certification (Level 1) – This certification is designed for classroom teachers who have a Chromebook, as well as those who work with students using Chromebooks. It builds a solid foundation of how to get the most from the device to impact and enhance instruction. Participants in this program will dig deeper in their utilization of Google Apps for Education tools.
iPad Certification (Level 1) – Build a solid foundation for integrating the iPad in your classroom by participating in this certification. You’ll learn how to support diverse groups of students with various iOS features, as well as receive specific tutorials on apps that you can use in your classroom to support student learning in your content area.

Our role-based certifications include live webinars and online coursework. As you go through these courses, you’ll build a portfolio to document your professional learning and implementation of the information shared and skills mastered. Then, as a capstone, you will develop a final project that aligns with your coursework. Though these three certifications officially begin in September each year, many participants jump in at other times during the cycle and start the certification process with ease.

Our Chromebook and iPad certifications are device-based and designed for the busy educator. These two certifications are completely online and self-paced with regularly-scheduled live webinars available for support, help, and advice. Huge discounts are available to campuses and districts for multiple participants; contact Bruce Ellis for details and discount levels.

Find more information and details about each of these certifications by visiting this website or by contacting Bruce Ellis by email or calling 512-450-5396.

October 16, 2015 0 comment